Mail-pouch



W. N. ASH.

(N Model.)

MAIL POUCH.

No. 544,651. Patented Aug. 20,1895.

fin-Tiff'- musa. A

VILLIAM N. ASH, OF ASHLAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO BUOKNER F. FREELAND, OF MIDDLEBURG, INDIANA.

MAIL-POUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,651, dated August 20, 1895.

Appliltml led January 21, 1895. Serial No, 5351668. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. ASH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Ashland, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Pouches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mail bags or pouches, and more particularly to a means of fastening the same.

The objects of my invention are to provide an improved fastening for mail-pouches that shall be perfectly secure, that shall be very compact and light, very quick in its operation, and consequently very convenient and especially adapted for the use for which it is intended. I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l presents a view of the upper portion of a mail-pouch embodying all the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective View of a portion of the chain with one of the jointed tongues. Fig. 5 is a modification of the parts shown in Fig. 4. l

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

All of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the section-lines.

In the drawings, A represents the upper portion of a mailbag.

' A represents the flap at the top of the bag. To the iiap A are secured staples E, which when the bag is closed project through suitable apertures in the upper part of the bag A. Secured to the bag itself by staples B is my improved chain-fastening. Between the sides C of the chain, which is made double, are pivoted the tonguesD, which all extend in the same direction and lie in a clear space between the two sides of the chain. Over each side of the chain about midway between the tongues are staples I I, which are secured to the bag in the same manner as the staple B. These securely hold the chain in its position and prevent its movement except-inthe longitudinal direction, and permit of that for only alimited distance. The point portions D of the tongue are hinged to the main portion D, so that they will fold toward or from the pouch A, as will be readily seen by an examination of Fig. 4. To one end of the chain is a hasp F, which loops over the staple F, which is attached to the apof the bag the same as the staples E, securing the chain firmly from longitudinal movement. The lock being placed through thel staple holds the hasp and consequently the chain in position.

The chain, it will be noted from its construction, requires only a slight endwise movement to withdraw all of the tongues D D from the staples E, which permits the bag to open quickly and easily.

The bag is closed very readily by folding the flap so that the staples project through in front of the tongues D D of the chain, and the hinged end portions permit of each link being quickly inserted,'the whole chain being drawn to place and fastened by the lock, as above mentioned.

I desire to state that my improved mailpouch and its fastening can be considerably varied in its detailswithout departing from my invention. While the jointing of the tongues D is a very great advantage, still the device will operate very well without this feature, and the tongue could be made in a single piece, asy shown in Fig. 5. The lengths of the links in'the sides C of the chain could also be varied, as will also be readily understood from inspection of Fig. 5, and the hasp for locking the same could no doubt be arranged in different positions and in different ways and accomplish the same result.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a mail pouch, the combination of the flap of the bag; the staples,E,v thereon; the double chain composed of the sides, C; the staples, B, to retain the said chain in position on the bag; and staples, I, over each part, C, to retain them in position; the tongue, D, pivoted between the parts, C, of the chain; a point portion, D', hinged to the main part of the tongue, D, to be inserted through the sta- ICO ples, E the hasp, F, and staple, F', to receive the lock to lock the hasp and secure the bag, as specified.

2. In a mail pouch, the combination of the Hap of the bag; of the staples, E, thereon; the double chain composed of the sides, C; the staples, B, to retain said chain in position on the bag; and staples, I, over each part, C, to retain them in position; the tongue, D, pivoted between the part C, of the chain to be inserted through the staples, E the hasp, F; and staple, F', to receive the lock to lock the hasp and secure the bag, as specified.

3. In a mail pouch, the combination of the flap of the bag; staples, E, thereon; a double chain composed of the sides, C; staples over said chain to retain itin position; tongues, D,pivoted between the sides, C, of said chain adapted to be inserted through the staples, E; a hasp and lock to lock the chain in position and secure the bag, as specified.

4. In a mail pouch, the combination of the flap ofthe bag; staples, E, thereon; a double chain composed of sides, C; suitable guides for said chain; tongues, D, pivoted between the sides of said chain and adapted to be inserted through the staples, E; and a suitable look for securing the said chain in position to secure the bag, as specified.

5. In a mail pouch, the fastening composed of the staples, E, in combination with a chain bearing tongues corresponding to each of said staples, E, and adapted to be inserted therethrough; hinged point portions to the tongues on said chain; and suitable guides to guide the chain and tongues; and a lock to lock the saine, as specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence ot' two Witnesses.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. NIooL, E. H. SEATON. 

